Page 2 of Road Trip With the Ghost Hunter

Please, God, let there not be any food stains on it.

“I wrapped everything with the lawyers before the weekend. Everything should be fine. Just text or call me if something comes up,” this gorgeous man said into the cell as he studied me, because yes, I was still standing in the same spot, staring.

To be fair, he was literally in front of my quest for sour gummies. I didn’t want to be rude and reach around his body. We know how that would go. I’d accidentally man-chest graze him and engage in an awkward ping pong of apologies, cause myelbow copped a feel, and that would be rude to his buddy Bjorn on the phone. So, naturally, I stood and waited.

“Oh,” I exhaled. He was done with his call and now staring back. “Um,” I stammered, “You were busy and I didn’t want to interrupt. I just, you know, if I reached over, you’d probably wonder,‘whoa! What’s this random chick doing?’Right? So, I figured, I’d let you finish.” I cleared my throat while my much cooler inner Li wanted to throat punch me so I’d shut up.

The state of utter confusion morphed on this man’s face, which forced an involuntary laugh to burst from my lips. I immediately slapped my hand over my mouth.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and ain’t that just the way?

Luckily, I was too much of a mess heading toward nowhere to even contemplate men. So, while he was nice to look at and that voice could seriously lull me to the sweetest sleep, I shook off this encounter and exhaled. The hand at my mouth went and pointed at the gummies.

“Sour Gummy Drops,” I said as if that explained everything.

Viking man turned and clocked the name on the bright pink, yellow, and purple package. “Sorry,” he said. “Was I in the way?”

“Like I said. Didn’t want to be rude and just reach in and grab them.”

A strong and large hand grabbed one bag but paused. “One or two?” he asked.

I blinked.Huh.Actually, that was a practical question. Yes, lao lao’s rule was one American treat, but now that I was an adult, I could amend the rule. It was still one brand but multiple of the one. This twenty-hour drive was going to take me at least two days. Might as well have enough to cover the trip.

“Hey,” his voice softened. “You okay?”

Shit.I blinked back the moisture building in my eyes. Avoiding his, I reached for the candy. “Two should suffice,” I replied with a steadier voice.

I felt his curious gaze, but kept my hand out waiting. He grabbed two bags and handed them over. Now feeling embarrassed, I took them and quickly glanced up. “Thank you.” My voice was less steady.

Rushing, I paid for both and thirty dollars for fuel. I gassed up and hopped in, ready to blast music and drive.

And drive.

Drive?

The click, click, click the car made as I turned the key in the ignition accelerated my heart. “No, no, no,” I whispered, trying to start the car over and over.

You have to be freaking kidding me.

Leaning over, I banged my forehead on the steering wheel. Scoffing at my luck, I straightened up, yanked the key out, grabbed my bag, pushed the door open and got out.

Time to put on the charm.

Shoulders back, I strutted with purpose.

“Hey, Benny!”

CHAPTER TWO

Lucas

Both the mechanic and I turned when someone called out his name. It was the same brunette from the candy aisle. She looked a little more steady now than she had with her smokey dark eyes brimming with tears over some sour, fruity shit no one should be ingesting. Not that I didn’t love a good candy binge, but really? Sour gummies? She might as well take some lemon juice, pour it on sugar and suck it down.

“Hey Li.” Benny seemed to know her. At least he knew her well enough to walk over and give her a hug. “You all packed up?” She didn’t say anything, just nodded, and once more looked like she was about to cry.

I wasn’t the kind of jackass that asked a girl if it was that time of the month whenever she got emotional, but this one made me question if that was what was going on. Then again, for all I knew, maybe this was her normal expression. If so, it was too bad. Because despite crying every five seconds, she was beautiful. Her wavy hair was pulled in a high ponytail that made it look like the ends might touch her butt if it was hanging loose.

She didn’t have one of those hourglass shapes with a lot of tits and ass, but what she had was worth taking notice of. It probably helped that her pants were so tight that I could probably make out the name on her underwear if her college sweetheart wasn’t covering it up.

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